LA D-Fenders Defeat Idaho, 123-112

EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Idaho Stampede, 123-112 Sunday, before a crowd announced at 300 in the NBA Development League team's first of seven games this season at the Toyota Sports Center.

Former USC and Westchester High star Gabe Pruitt scored 26 for the D- Fenders (5-3), who lost to Idaho, 105-95, Friday at Staples Center. Center Anthony Tolliver scored 28 for Idaho (4-2), the NBA Development League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.

The D-Fenders, who are owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, ordinarily play their home games at a nearly empty Staples Center, either before or after Laker games. Admission is limited to ticket holders to that day's Laker game. Today's game was the first time the D-Fenders sold tickets in their four seasons. "It was more comfortable for the players because we practice here every day," D-Fenders coach Chucky Brown said. "It felt a little more like a home game because we're here every day. If you had 20 people here, it felt like more people than at Staples."

Playing at El Segundo's Toyota Sports Center, where the Lakers and D- Fenders practice, stems from a game the D-Fenders played there last season, when Staples Center was unavailable because of the Grammy Awards.

League officials came out "and loved it," praising the facility's intimate setting and opportunity to bolster the NBA Development League's brand as the NBA's minor league, said Joey Buss, the D-Fenders president and chief executive officer.

The crowd included about 50 people from JSK Athletics, a South Orange County-based youth basketball program.

"It's really fun seeing how big they are, seeing all their moves up close," said Jeremy Traub, an 11-year-old from Laguna Niguel who sat in the second of four rows.

The D-Fenders will play their next game at the Toyota Sports Center Dec. 27 against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.